Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the RIVER HAMBLE HARBOUR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
held at Warsash Sailing Club, Shore Road, Warsash on Friday 4 January 2008.
Also present:
Councillor J.V. Bryant, Chairman of the River Hamble Harbour Board.
145. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs C. A. Bailey,
Councillor D. R. Blampied and Councillor G. W. Davies-Dear, Mr J Greensmith and Captain P. Holliday.
146. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members who believe they have a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare their personal interest and having regard to the circumstances described in 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's
Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with paragraph 12 of the Code.
The declaration should be made at the time of the relevant debate.
Councillor S. D. T. Woodward declared a personal interest by virtue of being a berth holder in Swanwick Marina.
Councillor Mrs C. Sutton declared a personal interest as a Member of the Royal Southern Yacht Club and a mooring holder.
Mr D. Alexander declared a personal interest as a Member of the Warsash Sailing Club.
The following Members declared a prejudicial interest in Item 10 by virtue of paying harbour dues: Councillor S. D. T. Woodward, Councillor T. M. Cartwright,
Councillor Mrs C. Sutton, Councillor A. Broadhurst and Mr D. Alexander.
The following Members declared a personal interest in Item 10: Mr R Boissier and
Mr S Bourne.
147. MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 2 November 2007 were confirmed as a correct record, save for recording that Captain P. Holliday sent his apologies for absence, and signed by the Chairman.
148. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS
There were no Chairman's Communications.
149. DEPUTATIONS
There were no deputations received.
150. PRESENTATION ON THE RIVER HAMBLE ESTUARY MANAGEMENT
PLAN
The Committee received a presentation from Dr Steve Fletcher of Bournemouth University and Chairman of the River Hamble Estuary Partnership (HEP) on the work of the Partnership and a proposal for the future. It was emphasised that this group existed entirely independently from the Harbour Authority and that all members had equal status. The purpose of the group was to facilitate the implementation of the Estuary Management Plan (EMP) in a way that co-ordinated the efforts of different agencies and organisations. The EMP was developed collaboratively and identified and influenced other plans. The end of the first cycle of operation expires in 2008 and there was a proposal to adopt a more service orientated role which focussed on facilitating, information exchange, consultation on Hamble issues for partners, partnership working, awareness of emerging issues and opportunities for improved management.
Councillor Broadhurst felt that the Committee considered that it was important to have a vehicle for setting targets.
Members noted that in terms of developing the future role of the EMP a number of priority projects and cross cutting activities and aspirations together with a much greater environmental role should be developed. The broad range of stakeholders provided an opportunity to reconsider the partnership and to establish a forum where concerns and views could be aired.
Members thanked Dr Fletcher for his concise and excellent presentation and the important work he was leading on the River Hamble.
RESOLVED:
That the presentation be noted.
151. RIVER HAMBLE HARBOUR AUTHORITY - GOVERNANCE REPORT
The Committee considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage
(Item 7 in the Minute Book) on further detailed information on the specific provisions of the River Hamble Harbour Revision Order and the constitutional arrangements operating on the River, offering a way forward in relation to key issues and concerns expressed by Members at the last meeting of the Committee on 2 November 2007.
The Director of Recreation and Heritage advised that the original purpose was to respond to the constitutional arrangements operating on the River within the agreed framework and to modernise and streamline the existing arrangements. It was also important not to diminish the scrutiny role and for the process to be effective and efficient.
The Head of Legal Practice advised that there was an opportunity to refresh,
relaunch and maximise the effectiveness of the role of the Management Committee and for further representatives to be appointed by the independent bodies. He drew the attention of the Management Committee to the Terms of Reference and Planning and Scrutiny Protocol, agreed in 2005, and the need to ensure that there was speedy and effective decision-making by the Board. He suggested that while one option would be for every report of the Harbour Authority to be considered by both the Management Committee and the Board, this would be ineffective and slow the decision making process.
Councillor Woodward felt that the report focussed on what the Management Committee should achieve and he proposed that Recommendation c `adjusting the size and membership of the Management Committee, rather than creating a new consultative committee' should be agreed. He suggested that representatives from the Mooring and Berth Holders' Association and the Hamble Estuary Partnership could be invited to appoint members. This in turn would mean that Hampshire County Council would balance the numbers by appointing two additional Hampshire County Council Members to the Committee. This proposal was supported by Councillor Dr. R. J. Ellis.
Mr Bourne questioned the frequency of meetings and expressed concern about reducing the representation stating that the Assistant Harbour Master (Environment) could present the views of the Hamble Estuary Partnership. Councillor Woodward reported that these concerns could be removed by holding meetings four times per year.
Councillor Bryant was invited to comment and proposed that a forward agenda plan be published for Members of the Management Committee to comment on any items.
RESOLVED:
That the River Hamble Harbour Board be advised as follows:
(a) That the recommendations be adopted.
(b) That in connection with recommendation c that representatives from the Mooring
and Berth Holders' Association and Hamble Estuary Partnership be invited to
appoint representatives to the Management Committee and that this be balanced by
the appointment of two additional Hampshire County Council Members to the
Committee.
The Committee considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage
(Item 8 in the Minute Book) on activities, incidents and events on the River since
2 November 2007. The Harbour Master went through the report and answered any queries Members had regarding the incidents that had occurred and highlighted the following points.
It was noted that a boat moored on the pontoon next to the River Hamble Sailing Club had been found burnt out and the incident was being investigated by the police.
The closing down of the 3rd phase of pile maintenance on the G-piles and irons was noted.
Paragraph 5 - comments and suggestions for improvement of the website were welcomed.
Paragraph 6 - it was noted that in partnership with MDL Marinas, Premier Marinas and advice from the RYA Green Blue discussions were being held with Marina Operators and Boatyard Operators to set up recycling centres in yards and marinas. A trial consisting of volunteers from 6 boats would commence at Easter through to July with a blog being completed monthly. Promotion of the trial would be notified to the boating press and other interested organisations and through leaflets distributed with the harbour dues invoice.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
153. HARBOUR AUTHORITY WORKS CONSENT POLICY
The Committee considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage
(Item 9 in the Minute Book) on a set of proposed draft policies as a basis for further consultation to guide decision making on works consent applications.
Members agreed to set up a Working Group comprising Councillor Mrs C. Sutton, Councillor W. Pepper, Mr D. Alexander and Mr R. Boissier as Chairman, together with a representative from the Harbour Authority to carry out consultation on the draft works consents policies.
FOOTNOTE: Following the meeting, the Chairman agreed that Mr J. Eads should also join the Working Group.
RESOLVED:
That the River Hamble Management Committee advises the River Hamble Harbour Board that it will undertake a widespread consultation on the draft Harbour Authority works consents policies as set out at Appendix 1 of the report.
154. RIVER HAMBLE BUDGET REPORT
The Committee considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage
(Item 10 in the Minute Book) on the draft revised budget for 2007/08 and the draft forward budget for 2008/09. Members noted that there would be £38,000 transferred to reserves and a potential £5,000 arising from additional income to be added to revenue reserves.
RESOLVED:
That the River Hamble budget report be endorsed and submitted to the River Hamble Harbour Board for its consideration and approval.